sign in

There are just over 70,000 children and young people looked after on any given day in the UK, almost 50,000 (62.5 per cent) of whom live with 43,000 foster families.

The Fostering Network estimates that a further 10,000 foster carers are needed across the UK. The statistics below are the latest available from the relevant government departments in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They provide a picture of the care system on just one day of the year. Many more children and young people move in and out of public care over the course of 12 months.

England

  • 60,900 children looked after on 31 March 2005.
  • Two-thirds of these children (41,700 or 68 per cent) were living with foster families.
  • There are approximately 37,000 foster families in England.
  • The Fostering Network estimates there is a shortage of at least 8,200 foster families.

For more details see the Children looked after by local authorities report on the Department for Education and Skills website.

Northern Ireland

  • 2,531 children looked after on 31 March 2005.
  • Over half of these children (1,432 or 57 per cent) were living with foster families.
  • There are approximately 1,346 foster families in Northern Ireland.
  • The Fostering Network estimates there is a shortage of at least 350 foster families.

For more details see the Community statistics report for 2004-05 on the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety website.

Scotland

  • 5,032 children looked after away from home on 31 March 2005.
  • Over two-thirds of these children (3,493 or 69 per cent) were living with foster families.
  • There are 2,653 foster families in Scotland.
  • The Fostering Network estimates there is a shortage of at least 1,700 foster families.

For more details see the Children's social work statistics report on the website of the Scottish Executive.

Wales

  • 4,380 children looked after on 31 March 2005.
  • Almost three-quarters of these children (3,194 or 73 per cent) were living with foster families.
  • There are approximately 1,900 foster families in Wales.
  • The Fostering Network estimates there is a shortage of at least 750 foster families.

For more details see the Personal social services statistics Wales 2005 report on the Welsh Assembly website.